The Maze Runner

(*** out of 5)

     I don't want to lie and say I had no intention of seeing this movie, but it was definitely at the bottom of my list.  On a late night whim, and a desire to see something on the XD screen, I wound up seeing The Maze Runner.  Due to the overwhelming amount of Dystopian dramas, my first thought when I heard of this movie was that it was going to be just like all of the others, featuring a romantic, teen-drama, you-have-to-save-your-family-and-the-world, film.  To my surprise, it wasn't.
     The Maze Runner is about a colony of boys who wake up in the center of maze, with no recollection of who they are or where they came from.  The maze opens during the day, and a group of "runners" maps as much of the dangerous labyrinth as they can, before the doors close at sundown.  The main character has memories and a dire urge to make it out of the maze.  His new presence jeopardizes the colony for unknown reasons.
     After seeing the film, I read the critics reviews and I would have to agree with them one hundred percent.  This director created a sense of urgency, as well as a darker tone, making it a refreshing change from the other films out there.  At times I was scared for the characters, because without a past, they don't really have a meaning.  I have not read the books, but I enjoyed the way the story was told.  Was it worth seeing in the theaters? Definitely.  The graphics are amazing and it was a fun film.